Yamaha P120 Manual

							Connections
11P-120/P-120S
3AUX OUT Jacks : L and R Pin jacks (LEVEL FIXED), 
L/L+R and R Phone Jacks
The P-120/P-120S is equipped with both Pin and Phone AUX 
OUT jacks to deliver the output of the P-120/P-120S for connection 
to an instrument amplifier, mixing console, PA system or recording 
equipment. The Pin connectors (L and R) provide easy connection to 
a home audio system, etc. The L/L+R Phone Jack allows connection 
of the P-120/P-120S to a monaural sound system. When a plug is 
inserted into the L/L+R jack only, the left- and right-channel signals 
are combined and delivered via the L/L+R jack so you don’t lose any 
of the P-120/P-120S’s sound.
• Before connecting the P-120/P-120S to other electronic compo-
nents, turn off the power for all components. Before turning the 
power on or off for all components, set all-volume levels to mini-
mum.
• When turning the power on, first turn the P-120/P-120S’s power on 
and then turn the power on of the external amplifier/speaker sys-
tem.
When turning the power off, simply reverse the order.
• Make sure that a low resistance audio cable or adaptor plug is used.
• The [MASTER VOLUME] control on the P-120/P-120S has no affect on 
the sound that is delivered from the AUX OUT (LEVEL FIXED) jacks.
4SPEAKER Switch
This switch turns the internal speakers on or off.
NORMAL (HP. SW)
The speakers produce sound as long as a pair of headphones is 
not connected.
ON
The speakers always produce sound.
OFF
The speakers produce no sound.
5PHONES Jacks
Two sets of standard stereo headphones can be plugged in here 
for private practice or late-night playing.
Stereo 
System
Instrument amplifier Use when the volume is controlled from an audio 
device or for recording to an external device. The 
P-120/P-120S’s [MASTER VOLUME] control has 
no affect. (Pin Jack: LEVEL FIXED)Pin plug
Audio cable
Phone plug
Use when the volume delivered from an audio 
device is controlled with the P-120/P-120S’s 
[MASTER VOLUME] control. (Phone Jack)
NOTE
9 
						

							 Connections 
12 
P-120/P-120S 6 
SUSTAIN PEDAL Jack
 
This jack is for connecting a sustain pedal to the P-120/P-120S. 
The pedal functions in the same way as a damper pedal on an acous-
tic piano. Connect the supplied pedal to this jack and press the pedal 
to sustain the sound. The further down the pedal is pressed, the 
longer the sound will be sustained (can be used like a half pedal 
effect). When the GRAND PIANO 1 and 2 voices are selected, pressing 
the damper pedal activates the instrument’s special “Sustain Sam-
ples” to accurately recreate the unique resonance of an acoustic 
grand piano’s soundboard and strings. 
• Make sure that power is OFF when connecting or disconnecting the pedal.
• The depth of the effect produced by the “Sustain Samples” can be  adjusted via the “Pedal Functions” (page 35) in the function mode.
• Depending upon the pedal that is connected to the SUSTAIN PEDAL jack,  the effect produced by operating the pedal (ON/OFF, dynamics, etc.) 
might be reversed. If this is the case, refer to the “SUSTAIN PEDAL Type” 
section (page 36). 
7 
AUX PEDAL Jack
 
This jack is for connecting the supplied pedal, an FC7 foot con-
troller or an FC4 foot switch. A wide range of functions such as the 
Soft Pedal function, etc., can be assigned to this jack. Use the Func-
tion settings to assign the function. (see page 35) 
• The FC7 Foot Controller can be used to control “Expression” (page 35).
• Depending upon the pedal that is connected to the  AUX PEDAL jack, the effect produced by operating the pedal (ON/OFF, dynamics, etc.) might be 
reversed. If this is the case, refer to the “AUX PEDAL Type” section (page 
36). 
8 
MIDI IN, and OUT Connectors
 
The MIDI IN connector receives MIDI data from an external 
MIDI device (such as a MIDI sequencer) which can be used to con-
trol the P-120/P-120S. The MIDI OUT connector transmits MIDI 
data generated by the P-120/P-120S (e.g. note and velocity data pro-
duced by playing the P-120/P-120S keyboard). More details on MIDI are given in “MIDI Functions” on page 37. 
9 
TO HOST Connector & HOST SELECT Switch  
This jack and selector switch allow direct connection to a per-
sonal computer for sequencing and other music applications — with-
out the need for a separate MIDI interface. See page 41 for details.
MIDI 
sequencer
Personal Computer
NOTE
NOTE
 
10 
						

							13P-120/P-120S
Selecting & Playing Voices
Turn Power On.....................................................
After making sure that the P-120/P-120S’s AC power adaptor 
is properly plugged into the P-120/P-120S itself and plugged into 
a convenient AC wall outlet, press the [STANDBY/ON] switch 
located on the left-side panel of the P-120/P-120S.
When the power is turned ON, one of the voice selector LEDs 
will light.
Set the Volume.....................................................
Initially set the [MASTER VOLUME] control about half way 
between the “MIN” and “MAX” settings. Then, when you start 
playing, re-adjust the [MASTER VOLUME] control for the 
most comfortable listening level.
Select a Voice.......................................................
Select the desired voice by pressing one of the VOICE buttons. 
Use the [VARIATION] button to select a variation of the current 
voice, as required. Every time the [VARIATION] or currently 
selected VOICE button is pressed, the variation is turned on or 
off. When the indicator is lit, the variation voice is selected.
Play.......................................................................
The P-120/P-120S also offers keyboard touch response, so the 
volume and timbre of notes played can be controlled according to 
how “hard” you play the keys. The amount of variation available 
depends on the selected voice.
• Some voices do not have keyboard touch response. See “Voice 
Descriptions” on page 45 for details.
Add Effects As Required.....................................
You can add or change reverb, effects and brilliance as desired 
by using the [REVERB] button (page 20), [EFFECT] button 
(page 21) and the [BRILLIANCE] control (page 22).
Before turning the power ON or OFF for all components, set all volume levels to minimum.
For instructions on connecting the P-120/P-120S to an amplifier/speaker system, see page 11.
1
2
3
• Please refer to the “Voice Descriptions” sec-
tion (page 45) for information on the charac-
teristics of each of the voices and their 
variations.
• The pedal can also be used to turn the varia-
tion on or off as required. (see page 35)NOTE
4
NOTE
5
11 
						

							14P-120/P-120S
Playing the Demonstration Tunes
Engage the Demo Mode......................................
Press the [DEMO] button to engage the demo mode — the 
voice selector indicators will flash in sequence.
Play a Voice Demo...............................................
Press one of the voice selectors to start playback of all songs 
starting from the corresponding voice demo tune — featuring the 
voice normally selected by that voice selector button. (If you 
press the SONG [START/STOP] button instead of a voice selec-
tor button, the GRAND PIANO 1 demo tune will begin play-
back.) The indicator of the selected voice selector button will 
flash during playback, and “---” will appear on the LED dis-
play. You can start playback of any other voice demo tune during 
playback by simply pressing the corresponding voice selector. 
You can stop playback at any time by pressing the SONG 
[START/STOP] button or the voice selector of the currently 
playing demo.
• Use the [MASTER VOLUME] control to adjust the volume and the 
[BRILLIANCE] control to adjust the brilliance (page 22).
Exit From the Demo Mode..................................
Press the [DEMO] button to exit from the demo mode and 
return to the normal play mode.Demonstration tunes are provided that effectively demonstrate each of the P-
120/P-120S’s voices. There are also 50 preset songs that you can play individu-
ally, all in sequence, or in random order. Here’s how you can select and play the 
demo tunes.
• The demo or preset song mode cannot be engaged while a user song recorder (page 26) is in 
use.
• No MIDI reception occurs in the demo/preset song mode.
• The demo/preset song data is not transmitted via the MIDI connectors.
* Voice demo songs consist entirely of Yamaha original songs (© 2001 YAMAHA 
CORPORATION).
* See page 48 for a complete listing of the preset songs.
NOTE
Voice Demo
1
2
NOTE
3
12 
						

							Playing the Demonstration Tunes
15P-120/P-120S
Engage the Preset Song Mode...........................
Press the [PRESET] button to engage the preset song mode — 
the [PRESET], [TRACK 1] and [TRACK 2] indicators will 
light.
Play a Preset Song..............................................
To play any of the 50 preset songs provided, use the [–/NO], 
[+/YES] buttons to select the number of the tune you want to 
play (the number will appear on the LED display), then press the 
SONG [START/STOP] button. Playback will stop automatically 
when playback of the selected preset song has finished. 
Select “ALL” instead of a number to play all preset songs in 
sequence, or select “rnd” to continuously play all preset songs 
in random order. Press the SONG [START/STOP] button to stop 
playback. 
• Use the [MASTER VOLUME] control to adjust the volume.
• You can use the [TEMPO/FUNCTION# 
,] buttons to adjust the 
playback tempo as required. This produces a relative tempo varia-
tion, with a range from “-50” through “ ---” to “50” at maximum; 
the range will differ depending on the selected song.
• The default tempo “ ---” is automatically selected whenever a 
new preset song is selected, or playback of a new preset song 
begins during “ ALL” or “ rnd” playback.
• You can play the keyboard along with the preset song playback. 
The voice playing on the keyboard can be changed.
• You can change the Brilliance control and Reverb type that is 
applied to the voice you play on the keyboard and for the preset 
song playback. You can change the Effect type and Touch sensi-
tivity that is applied to the voice you play on the keyboard. When a 
new preset song is selected or a new preset song is automatically 
started in continuous play, a reverb type that is appropriate for the 
selected song will automatically be selected.
Exit From the Preset Song Mode.......................
Press the [PRESET] button to exit from the preset song mode, 
the indicator will go off, and return to the normal play mode.
Preset Song
1
2
NOTE
3
13 
						

							Playing the Demonstration Tunes
16P-120/P-120S
The A-B Repeat function can be used to continuously repeat a specified phrase within a preset song. Combined 
with the Part Cancel function described below, this provides an excellent way to practice difficult phrases.
Specify the Beginning (A) of the Phrase...........
Select and play a preset song, then press the [TEMPO/FUNC-
TION#] button at the beginning of the phrase you want to repeat. 
This sets the “A” point (“A-” will appear on the display). 
To set the “A” point at the very beginning of the song, press the 
[TEMPO/FUNCTION#] button before starting playback.
Specify the End (B) of the Phrase......................
Press the [TEMPO/FUNCTION#] button a second time at the 
end of the phrase. This sets the “B” point (“A-b” will appear on 
the display). At this point repeat playback will begin between the 
specified A and B points.  The metronome will sound when play-
back begins to give you a tempo reference. However, if playback 
repeats from the beginning of the song, there will be no tempo 
reference from metronome.
To set the B point at the song’s end, press the [TEMPO/
FUNCTION#] button after song playback is complete and before 
“A- ” disappears from the display.
Stop Playback......................................................
Press the SONG [START/STOP] button to stop playback 
while retaining the specified A and B points. A-B repeat playback 
will resume if the SONG [START/STOP] button is then pressed 
again.
To cancel the A and B points press the [TEMPO/FUNC-
TION#] button once.
• The A and B points are automatically canceled when a new song 
is selected.
• The A-B Repeat function cannot be used during “ ALL” or “ rnd” 
playback.
Preset Song A-B Repeat
1
2
3
NOTE
14 
						

							Playing the Demonstration Tunes
17P-120/P-120S
The 50 preset songs have separate left- and right-hand parts that can be turned on and off as required so you can 
practice the corresponding part on the keyboard. The right-hand part is played by [TRACK 1], and the left-hand part 
is played by [TRACK 2].
Turn the Desired Part Off....................................
Press the [TRACK 1] or [TRACK 2] button to turn the corre-
sponding part off — the corresponding indicator will go out 
(these buttons alternately toggle the corresponding part on and 
off). 
• The parts can be turned on or off even during playback.
• The Preset Song Part Cancel function cannot be used during 
“ ALL” or “ rnd” playback.
• The “Preset Song Part Cancel Volume” function described on 
page 36 can be used to set the canceled part so that it plays at a 
volume from “0” (no sound) to “20”. The default setting is “5”.
• Both parts are automatically turned ON whenever a new song is 
selected.
Start/Stop Playback.............................................
Press the SONG [START/STOP] button to start and stop play-
back as required. 
Synchro Start.......................................................
When the Synchro Start function is engaged, playback of the 
selected preset song will begin automatically as soon as you start 
playing on the keyboard.
To engage the Synchro Start function press the SONG 
[START/STOP] button while holding the part button correspond-
ing to the part which is ON. A dot will appear in the lower right 
corner of the display. (Repeat the previous operation to disengage 
the Syncro Start function.) 
Playback will then start as soon as you begin playing on the 
keyboard.
• If you hold a track button which is OFF while pressing the SONG 
[START/STOP] button, that track will be turned ON and the Syn-
chro Start mode will be engaged. 
AUX PEDAL Start/Stop........................................
The AUX PEDAL can be assigned to start and stop preset song 
playback via the “AUX PEDAL Mode” function described on 
page 35.
Preset Song Part Cancel
1
NOTE
2
NOTE
15 
						

							 18 
P-120/P-120S The Dual Mode 
To activate the dual mode simply press two voice selectors at the 
same time (or press one voice selector while holding another). The voice 
indicators of both selected voices will light when the dual mode is 
active. To return to the normal single-voice play mode, press any single 
voice selector. According to the voice numbering priority as shown in the diagram 
on the right, lower valued voice numbers will be designated as the 1st 
Voice (the other voice will be designated as the 2nd Voice). 
• The dual and split modes cannot be engaged at the same time.
•
 
[VARIATION] in the Dual Mode
 
The [VARIATION] button’s indicator will light if the variation is engaged for 
either or both of the dual-mode voices. While the dual mode is engaged, 
the [VARIATION] button can be used to turn the variation for both voices 
on or off. To turn the variation on or off for only one of the voices, hold the 
voice button of the other voice and press the button of the voice for which 
you want to change the variation then press the [VARIATION] button.
•
 
[EFFECT] in the Dual Mode
 
Depending upon the conditions one effect type will take priority over the 
other. Depth will be decided according to the depth default value of the 
voice combination. However, using function F3 (see page 32) you can 
change the depth value for each voice as you like.
Effect depth setting via the panel controls  the [–/NO 
 ] or [+/YES   ] but-
tons while holding the [EFFECT] button — see page 21) will be applied to 
the 1st Voice only.
•
 
[REVERB] in the Dual Mode
 
The reverb type assigned to the 1st Voice will take priority over the other. 
(If the reverb is set to OFF, the 2nd Voice’s reverb type will be in affect.) 
Reverb depth setting via the panel controls (i.e. pressing the [–/NO 
 ] or 
[+/YES 
 ] buttons while holding the [REVERB] button — see page 20) will 
be applied to the 1st Voice only. 
Other Dual Mode Functions
 
............................... 
The P-120/P-120S Function mode provides access to a number 
of other dual-mode functions, listed below. See the corresponding 
pages for details. 
• Dual Balance ........................................ 32
• Dual Detune.......................................... 32
• 1st Voice Octave Shift ........................... 32
• 2nd Voice Octave Shift.......................... 32
• 1st Voice Effect Depth........................... 33
• 2nd Voice Effect Depth ......................... 33
• Reset .................................................... 33 The dual mode makes it possible to play two voices simultaneously across the 
entire range of the keyboard. 
123456
8910111213
7
14
Voice numbering priority
NOTE
 
16 
						

							19P-120/P-120S
The Split Mode
To activate the split mode simply press the [SPLIT] button so that its indicator 
lights. The split mode can be turned off at any time by pressing the [SPLIT] but-
ton again so that its indicator goes out.
• The dual and split modes cannot be engaged at the same time.
Selecting the Right and Left Voices..............................
The voice that was selected before the split mode was engaged becomes 
the Right Voice in the split mode. (The Right Voice can also be changed while 
in the split mode, by simply pressing the corresponding voice selector.) 
To select a Left Voice press the corresponding voice selector while holding 
the [SPLIT] button (default: [WOOD BASS]). The indicator of the Left 
Voice selector will light while the [SPLIT] button is pressed, then only the 
Right Voice selector and [SPLIT] button indicators will remain lit.
To turn the variation on or off for the split voice, hold the [SPLIT] button 
and press the [VARIATION] button or the currently selected voice button.
•[VARIATION] in the Split Mode
The variation can be individually turned on and off for the split mode voices. 
Normally the voice indicator of the Right Voice lights in the split mode. The 
[VARIATION] can be used to turn the variation for the Right Voice on or off as 
required. While the [SPLIT] button is held, however, the voice indicator of the 
Left Voice lights, and in this state the [VARIATION] button can be used to turn 
the variation for the Left Voice on or off as required.
•[EFFECT] in the Split Mode
Depending upon the conditions, one effect type will take priority over the 
other. Depth will be decided according to the depth default value of the voice 
combination. However, using function F4 (see page 33) you can change the 
depth value for each voice as you like.
Effect depth setting via the panel controls (i.e. pressing the [–/NO
] or [+/
YES] buttons while holding the [EFFECT] button — see page 21) will be 
applied to the Right Voice only.
•[REVERB] in the Split Mode
The reverb type assigned to the Right Voice will take priority over the other. (If 
the reverb is set to OFF, the Left Voice’s reverb type will be in affect.) 
Reverb depth setting via the panel controls (i.e. pressing the [–/NO
] or [+/
YES] buttons while holding the [REVERB] button — see page 20) will be 
applied to the Right Voice only.
Setting the Split Point....................................................
The split point is initially set at the F#2 key by default. You can change 
the split point to any other key by pressing the key while holding the 
[SPLIT] button (the name of the current split-point key appears on the 
LED display while the [SPLIT] button is held). The split point can also be 
set via the Function mode (see below).
Other Split Mode Functions...........................................
The P-120/P-120S Function mode provides access to a number of other 
split-mode functions, listed below. See the corresponding pages for details.The split mode makes it possible to play two different voices on the keyboard 
— one with the left hand and another with the right hand. The Left Voice is played 
on all keys to the left of (and including) a specified “split point” key, while the Right 
Voice is played on all keys to the right of the split point key. 
Example:
•“b” is indicated with a lower “_”.
•“#” is indicated with an upper “~”.
A-1 b=1 C 2 F~2
A-1 Bb-1 C2 F#2
NOTE
NOTE
• Split Point .................................... 33
• Split Balance ............................... 33
• Right Voice Octave Shift .............. 34
• Left Voice Octave Shift ................ 34
• Right Voice Effect Depth .............. 34• Left Voice Effect Depth .................34
• Sustain Pedal Range....................34
• AUX Pedal Range ........................34
• Reset ............................................34
17 
						

							20P-120/P-120S
Reverb
To select a reverb type press the [REVERB] button a few times until 
the indicator corresponding to the desired type lights (the indicators 
light in sequence each time the [REVERB] button is pressed). No 
reverb is produced when all indicators are off.
OFF
No reverb effect is selected when no REVERB indicator is lit.
ROOM
This setting add a continuous reverb effect to the sound that is similar to 
the type of acoustic reverberation you would hear in a room. 
HALL 1
For a “bigger” reverb sound, use the HALL 1 setting. This effect simu-
lates the natural reverberation of a small-size concert hall.
HALL 2
For a really spacious reverb sound, use the HALL 2 setting. This effect 
simulates the natural reverberation of a large concert hall.
STAGE
A simulation of the type of reverb produced in a stage environment.
• The default reverb type (including OFF) and depth settings are different 
for each voice.
• Even if the REVERB effect is OFF, a “Soundboard Reverb” effect will be 
applied when either the GRAND PIANO 1 or 2 voice is selected.
Adjusting Reverb Depth......................................
Adjust the reverb depth for the selected voice by using the [–/
NO] and [+/YES]  buttons while holding the [REVERB] 
button. The depth range is from 0 through 20 (the current depth 
setting appears on the LED display while the [REVERB] button 
is held). A setting of “0” produces no effect, while a setting of 
“20” produces maximum reverb depth. Press the [–/NO] and 
[+/YES] buttons simultaneously while holding the [REVERB] 
button to recall the default setting for the current voice (default 
depth settings are different for each voice).The [REVERB] button selects a number of digital reverb effects that you can 
use for extra depth and expressive power.
NOTE
18